Gambia launches UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

BANJUL, Gambia, 9 December, 2005 – Over 200 people, including the President of Gambia, members of the cabinet, the diplomatic community, and heads of government departments joined UNICEF, UNAIDS and other partners to launch the UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign on 30 November. In Gambia the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infection is comparatively low, about 2 percent; however, there are between 7,000-10,000 children who have been orphaned by AIDS. Fewer than 5 per cent of HIV-positive children receive treatment.

Gambian President Alhagie Yahya Jammeh said, “We have to move towards more practical and meaningful solutions and create the necessary protective environment free of HIV/AIDS for our children.”

UNICEF Representative Cheryl Gregory Faye cautioned against complacency, and reminded the heads of government agencies, civil society and the private sector that time was not on the Gambia’s side. “Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve and too short for those who grow. Time is not on our side, so we must act now.”